Civil Engineer Salary in Cincinnati, OH
Civil Engineers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median $98,220 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,009 take-home, or $6,334 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Cincinnati, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,778
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,090
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,424
- Ohio income tax$1,919
- Take-home pay$76,009
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.75% state
The Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro spans Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Cincinnati, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,190 | $31.34 | $53,550 | $4,462 |
| 25th percentile | $77,770 | $37.39 | $62,185 | $5,182 |
| Median (50th) | $98,220 | $47.22 | $76,009 | $6,334 |
| 75th percentile | $124,150 | $59.69 | $93,491 | $7,791 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,590 | $66.15 | $102,307 | $8,526 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $98,220 buys in Cincinnati, OH
Prices in Cincinnati, OH are 4.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 12% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median civil engineer's $76,009 take-home pay has the buying power of $79,699 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Civil Engineer jobs are about as common in Cincinnati, OH as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.81).
Best-paying cities for civil engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Cincinnati, OH ranks #44 of 125 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennewick, WA | $121,370 | $94,214 | $94,139 |
| 2 | Baton Rouge, LA | $112,430 | $84,938 | $93,565 |
| 3 | Mobile, AL | $107,810 | $79,549 | $90,296 |
| 4 | New Orleans, LA | $108,240 | $82,116 | $88,681 |
| 5 | Sioux Falls, SD | $99,700 | $78,969 | $87,132 |
| 6 | Tulsa, OK | $102,080 | $76,595 | $85,856 |
| 7 | Sacramento, CA | $130,150 | $90,657 | $84,988 |
| 8 | Beaumont, TX | $95,510 | $76,021 | $84,425 |
| 44 | Cincinnati, OH | $98,220 | $76,009 | $79,699 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 125 metros →
Civil Engineer salaries elsewhere in Ohio
- Toledo, OH — $96,300
- Columbus, OH — $99,010
- Dayton, OH — $95,270
- Cleveland, OH — $96,190
- Akron, OH — $94,450
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Cincinnati, OH?
The median civil engineer salary in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $98,220 a year, or about $47.22 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $77,770 and $124,150.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Cincinnati, OH?
On the median $98,220 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $76,009 a year ($6,334 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,919 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Cincinnati, OH a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 4.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $79,699 would in a typical U.S. city. Cincinnati, OH ranks #44 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer afford rent in Cincinnati, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Cincinnati, OH is $1,043 a month ($1,342 for two bedrooms) — 16% of a median civil engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH
- Engineers, All Other — $127,150
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $107,020
- Electrical Engineer — $105,350
- Industrial Engineer — $105,140
- Mechanical Engineer — $104,220
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $98,750
- Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician — $77,600
- Architectural and Civil Drafter — $70,010
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $64,850